Pipping Now under broody! Panic! PICS!

[CritterHill]

Ok, ok, I need to calm down, I know. DH just gave me a martini to try to help me, but I am hyperventilating a little bit here.

I have a broody, today is day 21. I decided to candle for the first time. I pulled out the beenie silkie egg, set it on the flashlight and saw a pip!

Ack! I stuffed it right back under the hen. I am hoping I didn't disturb Momma too much. I didn't hurt the egg by messing with it at this stage did I?

Ok, I know its probably fine, i'm just freaking out because I thought these eggs were duds. Now I am getting chicks! ACK!

I have a friend coming over with a large dog crate, I'll move Momma and th eggs to it now, since her nest box is about a foot off the ground.

Ok, breathe in breathe out. Ack!

 

[maplesky7]

yay! you got chicks...now quite freakin and enjoy it.

me,
g

 

[cozycritters]

Good luck! I have no experience with broodies hatching, but I'm sure everything will be great!

BREATHE!

 

[flakey chick]

Congratulations. Now worries, mama knows what to do. Let her take care of everything.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Just remember, chicks hatch everyday and the mama hens have been doing their jobs quite well for centuries.

If it is freaking you out that bad, then why don't you have a night out? Go to the movies, leave mama hen along, and check on them in the morning.

 

[PQ]

How exciting, chicks happen everyday dont panic about silly!

Dog crates work great I have just put the whole nest box in till they start moving around then I just pull it out and place straw or shavings in.
Cant wait to see pictures!

 

[CritterHill]

You mean I shouldn't set up my sleeping bag out there?

 

[FisherMOM]

broodies are the best incubator!

relax, sit back and enjoy your martini.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Yay! Babies coming!

Whatever you do, don't keep picking up the hen to see how it's going. It'll only make her mad. Not that I speak from experience or anything...

 

[cassie]

I am not very experienced about this, but it might be a good idea to take the first chicks away when they get dried off. The chicks may hatch over a couple of days or so. If you leave the first chicks with her, she may get up and leave the nest before the stragglers have a chance to hatch. You can put the ones you have removed back with the hen (at night) after everybody has hatched.